Sericea Lespedeza

The Nebraska list of noxious weeds has grown to 12 with the addition of sericea lespedeza .

State Agriculture Department Director Greg Ibach says the weed poses a threat to native ranges and pasture. He says it can reduce or even eliminate native grasses, affecting the quality and quantity of pasture for livestock.

The designation took effect this week.

Sericea lespedeza is a perennial found in grasslands and pastures as well as along roadsides and drainage areas. It’s mainly found in southeast Nebraska.

The other 11 plants on the list of noxious weeds are Canada thistle, leafy spurge, musk thistle, plumeless thistle, purple loosestrife, spotted knapweed, diffuse knapweed, saltcedar, phragmites, Japanese knotweed and giant knotweed.